Skateboard with audio entertainment device

ABSTRACT

A skateboard having an associated audio entertainment device is disclosed. The skateboard includes a forward truck and wheel assembly and a rearward truck and wheel assembly. A tail skid plate is preferably mounted at the rear of the skateboard on the lower surface thereof. An audio entertainment device, such as a radio receiver, is mounted to the lower surface of the skateboard between the rearward truck and the tail skid plate such that contact with the ground by the audio entertainment device is prevented and possible damage is minimized. The mounting position of the audio entertainment is preferably such that an associated speaker is mounted directly beneath one or more apertures in the skateboard so that the audio output of the speaker is directed upward. An acoustically permeable screen is utilized to protect the speaker and, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a guard plate is provided to further protect the audio entertainment device from inadvertent contact with the ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to recreational vehicles such asskateboards and more particularly to skateboards which incorporate anaudio entertainment device, such as a radio receiver.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The increased popularity of surfing in past years has lead to the designof the "sidewalk surfboard" or "skateboard" which permits the rider tosimulate the activities of surfing without the requirement for an ocean.From its simple beginning as a board mounted to a plurality of rollerskate wheels, the skateboard has advanced in both design and technology.Specialized wheel mounts, or "trucks" which permit turning by shiftingof the rider's weight have become commonplace. Various guards and railshave been added to protect the board and permit the rider to performhandstands or other acrobatic tricks.

More recently, a skateboard has been disclosed which utilizes a pair ofhand grips to facilitate such acrobatic efforts while simultaneouslypermitting a rider to positively engage his feet with the board whileperforming jumps. An example of this design may be seen in U.S. Pat. No.4,159,121, issued June 26, 1979.

A second aspect of the popularity of the surfing and skateboard cultureis the music which is associated therewith. In order to simultaneouslyenjoy the music and its associated sport, it is currently necessary fora rider to constrain his or her activities to an area near a radio ortape player. This is generally not acceptable when a rider desires totravel from one point to another. An alternative procedure for enjoyingmusic while skateboarding involves the utilization of a small personalstereo; however, the earphones utilized with these devices can prevent arider from hearing automobile horns, sirens, or other audible warningdevices and may result in serious injury to the rider.

Thus, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus whichwill permit a rider of a skateboard to enjoy music while riding theskateboard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide animproved skateboard.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedskateboard having an associated audio entertainment device.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improvedskateboard having an associated audio entertainment device mounted in amanner which will prevent damage to the device during skateboard riding.

The foregoing are achieved as is now described. The skateboard of thepresent invention includes a forward truck and wheel assembly and arearward truck and wheel assembly. A tail skid plate is preferablymounted at the rear of the skateboard on the lower surface of the board.An audio entertainment device, such as a radio receiver, is mounted tothe lower surface of the skateboard between the rearward truck and wheelassembly and the tail skid plate, such that contact with the ground bythe audio entertainment device is prevented and possible damage isminimized. The mounting position of the audio entertainment device ispreferably such that an associated speaker is mounted directly beneathone or more apertures in the skateboard so that the audio output of thespeaker is directed upward. An acoustically permeable screen is utilizedto protect the speaker and, in a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a guard plate is provided to further protect the audioentertainment device from inadvertent contact with the ground.

The above as well as additional objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will become apparent in the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention itself; however, as well asa preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, willbest be understood by reference to the following detailed description ofan illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a skateboard constructed inaccordance With the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lower surface of the rear of askateboard constructed in accordance with the present invention whichdepicts the mounting of an audio entertainment device;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the rear of a skateboard constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the audio entertainment device andskateboard constructed in accordance with the present invention takenalong line IV--IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of one embodiment of one of the mountingbolts utilized to mount an audio entertainment device to the skateboardin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the rear of a skateboard constructed inaccordance with the present invention demonstrating the operation of thetail skid member;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the bottom of an audio entertainment devicewhich may be utilized in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an end view of a first end of the audio entertainment deviceof FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the top of the audio entertainment device ofFIG. 7, depicting an associated speaker; and

FIG. 10 is an end view of a second end of the audio entertainment deviceof FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference toFIG. 1, there is depicted a perspective view of a skateboard 10 whichhas been constructed in accordance with the present invention. As can beseen, skateboard 10 is constructed utilizing a board 12 which ispreferably Constructed of a multi-ply wooden material. In an

Alternate embodiment of the present invention, board 12 may beconstructed of a plastic material. The upper surface of board 12includes an abrasive surface 14 which is provided to ensure firmplacement and grip of the feet of the operator on the upper surface ofboard 12.

A plurality of mounting bolts 16 are utilized, in accordance with atechnique well known in the art, to mount a pair of wheel mounts or"trucks" 24, each of which has a pair of ground engaging wheels 22.Ground engaging wheels 22 are preferably constructed of a plasticmaterial such as urethane and preferably include mounting bearings (notshown) to facilitate smooth rotation of ground engaging wheels 22. Alsodepicted in FIG. 1 is speaker grill 18 which is preferably anacoustically permeable plastic grill which may be utilized, inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention, to protect thespeaker of an associated audio entertainment device from contaminantswhile simultaneously supporting the weight of an operator of skateboard10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is depicted a perspective view of thelower surface of skateboard 10. As can be seen, rear truck 24 is mountedto the lower surface of board 12 in conjunction with an elastic spacer26. Elastic spacer 26 is utilized to cushion the ride of skateboard 10and provide a measure of shock absorption for the operator. As can beseen, rear truck 24 is typically bolted to board 12 utilizing aplurality of mounting bolts 16 and mounting nuts 30.

At the forward end of rear truck 24, truck guard 40 is mounted toprotect rear truck 24 from inadvertent contact with curbs or otherprotuberances which might damage rear truck 24 during operation. Alsomounted to the lower surface of board 12 is tail skid 28 which ispreferably constructed utilizing a plastic material such as urethane andwhich is mounted to the rear of the lower surface of board 12 utilizingmounting bolts 16 and mounting nuts 30. The purpose of tail skid 28 isto permit the operator to pivot the skateboard by placing his weight tothe rear of rear truck 24 raising the front Of skateboard 10 andengaging the ground with tail skid 28.

Still referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that an audio entertainmentdevice 32 has been mounted to the lower surface of board 12 between themounting position of tail skid 28 and rear truck 24. This particularmounting position has been proven by the Applicant to result in aminimal possibility of contact with the ground by audio entertainmentdevice 32 so that damage to audio entertainment device 32 is minimized.In order to further protect audio entertainment device 32, a guard plate35 is preferably provided. Guard plate 38 is preferably constructedutilizing a metallic material or, in an alternative embodiment, a heavyplastic material. As can be seen, guard plate 38 may be simply mountedin place utilizing one pair of mounting bolts 16 and mounting nuts 30which are also utilized to secure rear truck 24 to board 12.

While the depicted embodiment of the present invention discloses audioentertainment device 32 as an AM/FM radio including volume on/offcontrol 34 and tuning control 36, those ordinarily skilled in the artwill appreciate that any audio entertainment device may be utilized inaccordance with the present invention. For example, a cassette tapeplayer or compact disc player may be substituted by slightly varying thedesign of guard plate 38 to accommodate the insertion of cassette tapesor compact discs.

With reference now to FIG. 3, there is depicted a side view of the rearof skateboard 10 which has been constructed in accordance with thepresent invention. As can be seen, rear truck 24 has been flexiblymounted to board 12 through elastic spacer 26. The mounting position ofaudio entertainment device 32 in conjunction with guard plate 35 can beseen to provide a protective mount wherein audio entertainment device 32will be precluded from contacting the ground or other protuberance whichmight cause inadvertent damage to audio entertainment device 32.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is depicted a partial sectional view ofaudio entertainment device 32 and skateboard 10 taken along line IV--IVof FIG. 3. As can be seen, audio entertainment device 32 is mounted inconjunction with an aperture 48 which communicates from the lowersurface of board 12 to the upper surface of board 12. Speaker grill 18is utilized in conjunction with radio receiver mounting bolts 44 tofirmly and safely attach audio entertainment device 32 to the lowersurface of board 12 by compressing board 12 between the case of audioentertainment device 32 and speaker grill flange 62. In this manner, anassociated speaker 46 is firmly and fixedly mounted in juxtapositionwith aperture 48 so that the audio output from audio entertainmentdevice 32 is directed upward through aperture 48 and speaker grill 18.

With reference now to FIG. 5, there is depicted an enlarged view of analternate embodiment of a mounting technique which may be utilized tomount audio entertainment device 32 to board 12. In those applicationsin which it is desired to construct speaker grill of a plastic material,it may be advisable to press a metal insert 50 into the plastic body ofspeaker grill 18 in order to provide a receptive aperture for radioreceiver mounting bolts 44. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat While the utilization of a metal insert 50 is preferable, it is notnecessary.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is depicted a side view of the rear ofskateboard 10 which demonstrates the operation of tail skid 28. As canbe seen, when the operator Of skateboard 10 moves his weight to the rearof rear truck 24, the rear end of board 12 will be forced downward,causing tail skid 28 to come into contact with the ground. As depictedin FIG. 6, when board 12 is rotated into the position shown, board 12 incontacts the ground at tail skid 28 and rear wheels 22. In its depictedmounting position, audio entertainment device 32 is safely constrainedto an area wherein contact with the ground is not possible. To furtherensure that damage to audio entertainment device 32 does not occur,guard plate 38 is depicted in a position which surrounds audioentertainment device 32 and which will prevent damage to audioentertainment device 32 should the operator move his weight rearwardwhile audio entertainment device 32 is disposed over an uneven surface.

With reference now to FIGS. 7 and 10, there is depicted a plan view ofthe bottom of audio entertainment device 32 which may be utilized inconjunction with skateboard 10 in accordance with the present invention.As can be seen, audio entertainment device 32, in the depictedembodiment of the present invention, is an AM/FM radio receiver. Volumeon/off control 34 and tuning control 36 are utilized, in a manner wellknown in the art, to control the operation of audio entertainment device32. AM/FM switch 52 may be utilized to manually switch the operation ofaudio entertainment device 32 from the AM mode of operation to the FMmode of operation and tuning indicator 56 can be utilized to present avisual indication of the tuning status of audio entertainment device 32.Also depicted in FIG. 7 is battery chamber 54 and mounting apertures 58which may be utilized to receive radio receiver mounting bolts 44 in themanner depicted in FIG. 4. In the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, audio entertainment device 32 is preferably constructedutilizing any high impact plastic material.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is depicted an end view of one end ofaudio entertainment device 32 of FIG. 7. As can be seen, in the depictedembodiment of the present invention, an ordinary screw 60 may beutilized to secure the aperture to battery compartment $4. In thismanner, the operator of skateboard 10 may utilize audio entertainmentdevice 32 without the requirement for an electrical power source bymerely changing batteries as required.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is depicted a plan view of the top ofaudio entertainment device 32 which depicts its associated speaker 46.As can be seen, mounting apertures 55 surround speaker 46 and may beutilized, in accordance with the present invention, to mount audioentertainment device 32 such that speaker 46 is in direct juxtapositionwith aperture 48 (see FIG. 4). In this manner, an operator of skateboard10 may freely ride the skateboard in any area and any direction whilesimultaneously providing a source of music which does not handicap hisability to detect automobile horns, sirens, or other audible warningdevices.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a specificembodiment, this description is not meant to be construed in a limitingsense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiment as well asalternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to personsskilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention.It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover anysuch modifications or embodiments that fall within the true scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved skateboard comprising:(a) a boardhaving a lower surface and an upper surface adapted to support a rider;(b) a plurality of ground engaging members mounted to said lower surfaceincluding at least a forward truck and wheel assembly, a rearward truckand wheel assembly, and a tail skid member mounted at the rear of theboard on said lower surface; (c) an audio entertainment device securedto the board on said lower surface between said rearward truck and wheelassembly and said tail skid member; and (d) audio output meansassociated with said audio entertainment device.
 2. The improvedskateboard according to claim 1 wherein said board is constructed of amulti-ply wooden material.
 3. The improved skateboard according to claim1 wherein each of said truck and wheel assemblies includes an elasticspacer pad mounted between said truck and wheel assembly and said board.4. The improved skateboard according to claim 1 wherein said audioentertainment device comprises a radio receiver.
 5. The improvedskateboard according to claim 1 wherein said audio output meanscomprises a speaker and associated speaker grill.
 6. The improvedskateboard according to claim 1 wherein the upper surface of said boardincludes an abrasive material wherein the operator can ensure firmplacement of his feet on the upper surface of said board.
 7. An improvedskateboard comprising:(a) a board having a lower surface and an uppersurface adapted to support a rider; (b a plurality of ground engagingmembers mounted to said lower surface including at least a forward truckand wheel assembly, a rearward truck and wheel assembly and a tail skidmember mounted at the rear of the board on said lower surface; (c) aradio receiver secured to the board on said lower surface between saidrearward truck and wheel assembly and said tail skid member; (d) aplurality of manually operable controls for controlling the operation ofsaid radio receiver; (e) audio output means associated with said radioreceiver and mounted to said lower surface in conjunction with at leastone aperture communicating between said lower surface and said uppersurface of said board; and (f) an acoustically permeable screen mountedsubstantially coplanar with said upper surface above said at least oneaperture wherein said audio output means is protected from contaminants.8. The improved skateboard according to claim 7 wherein said board isconstructed of a multi-ply wooden material.
 9. The improved skateboardaccording to claim 7 wherein each of said truck and wheel assemblesincludes an elastic spacer pad mounted between said truck and wheelassembly and said board.
 10. The improved skateboard according to claim7 wherein said radio receiver comprises a battery powered AM/FM radioreceiver.
 11. The improved skateboard according to claim 7 wherein saidplurality of manually operable controls includes a volume control and atuning control.
 12. The improved skateboard according to claim 7 whereinsaid audio output means comprises a speaker and associated speakergrill.
 13. The improved skateboard according to claim 7 wherein saidacoustically permeable screen comprises a plastic screen.
 14. Theimproved skateboard according to claim 7 wherein the upper surface ofsaid board includes an abrasive material wherein the operator can ensurefirm placement of his feet on the upper surface of said board.